Barbie releases inspiring women dolls for International Women’s Day

The collection includes Frida Kahlo, Amelia Earhart, and Katherine Johnson

Barbie has been a career role-model for little girls (and boys) for decades. And now in honor of International Women’s Day 2018, Barbie is releasing a series of iconic, real life female role models as dolls. The inspiring women dolls collection includes Frida Kahlo, Amelia Earhart, and NASA physicist Katherine Johnson.

ADVERTISEMENT

The collection was created after Mattel conducted a survey of 8,000 mothers around the world and discovered that the majority of those mothers are worried about the kind of role models their daughters are exposed to.

“Girls have always been able to play out different roles and careers with Barbie and we are thrilled to shine a light on real life role models to remind them that they can be anything.” Lisa McKnight, senior vice president and general manager of Barbie.

In addition to these iconic figures, Mattel also introduced a new series of “Shero” dolls this week. The collection features 17 modern day role-models, with a diverse range of backgrounds and careers.

The collection includes Wonder Woman’s director, Patty Jenkins, along with these other modern day female role models:

ADVERTISEMENT

Chloe Kim snowboarding champion

Nicole Adams Obe boxing champion

Ibtihaj Muhammad fencing champion

Bindi Irwin conservationist

Hui Ruoqi volleyball champion

Ashley Graham model & body activist

Misty Copeland Principal ballerina

Helena Darroze world-renowned chef

Sara Gama soccer player

Martyna Wojciehowska journalist

Gabby Douglas gymnastics champion

Xiaotong Guan actress & philanthropist

Ava Duvernay film director

Yuan Yuan Tan prima ballerina

Leyla Piedayesh designer & entrepreneur

With 86% of US moms worried about the type of role models their daughters are exposed to, we are committed to shining a light on empowering female role models in an effort to inspire more girls.

Overall, we’re super appreciative that Mattel came out with these 2 thoughtful new series of dolls for International Women’s Day. But it begs the question – if toy makers like Mattel had started producing dolls like these 50 years ago, would the world be a better place for women now?